Power inductor

Abstract

A power inductor includes a magnetic body; a coil provided in the magnetic body; and external electrodes formed at opposite end portions of the magnetic body. The magnetic body includes a stacked plurality of magnetic sheets including a flake alloy powder, and a major axis of the flake alloy powder and a major axis of the coil are arranged in a direction parallel to an upper surface of the magnetic body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power inductor comprising:
 a magnetic body;   a coil provided in the magnetic body; and   external electrodes disposed on the magnetic body,   wherein the magnetic body comprises a stacked plurality of magnetic sheets including a flake alloy powder, and   a major axis of the flake alloy powder and a major axis of the coil are arranged in a direction parallel to an upper surface of the magnetic body.   
     
     
         2 . The power inductor of  claim 1 , wherein the major axis of the flake alloy powder is parallel to a direction of a magnetic flux generated in the coil. 
     
     
         3 . The power inductor of  claim 1 , wherein the coil includes:
 a first wiring pattern formed in an upper magnetic sheet among the plurality of magnetic sheets,   a second wiring pattern formed in a lower magnetic sheet among the plurality of magnetic sheets,   a plurality of layers of vias formed in a plurality of magnetic sheets among the plurality of magnetic sheets, and electrically connecting the first and second wiring patterns, and   lead patterns formed in the lower magnetic sheet, and connected to the external electrodes.   
     
     
         4 . The power inductor of  claim 3 , wherein the lead patterns are formed on a same plane as the second wiring pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The power inductor of  claim 3 , wherein at least any one of the vias, the first and second wiring patterns, and the lead patterns include a plated layer. 
     
     
         6 . The power inductor of  claim 1 , wherein the flake alloy powder includes iron (Fe). 
     
     
         7 . The power inductor of  claim 6 , wherein the flake alloy powder is one or more selected from the group consisting of an Fe—Si-based alloy, sendust (Fe—Si—Al), permalloy (Fe—Ni), an Fe—Si—Cr-based alloy, and an Fe—Si—B—Cr-based amorphous alloy. 
     
     
         8 . The power inductor of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic sheet has a thickness of 30 μm to 90 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The power inductor of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic body includes an outer magnetic sheet provided on an outermost layer, the outer magnetic sheet covering the coil and having no pattern. 
     
     
         10 . The power inductor of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic sheet includes a binder. 
     
     
         11 . The power inductor of  claim 1 , wherein the external electrodes are formed at opposite end portions of the magnetic body. 
     
     
         12 . A power inductor comprising:
 a magnetic body comprising a stacked plurality of magnetic sheets;   a coil provided in the magnetic body; and   external electrodes disposed on the magnetic body,   wherein the coil includes a plurality of layers of vias, the plurality of layers of vias comprising vias formed in each magnetic sheet into a plurality of layers.   
     
     
         13 . The power inductor of  claim 12 , wherein the coil includes:
 a first wiring pattern formed in an upper magnetic sheet among the plurality of magnetic sheets,   a second wiring pattern formed in a lower magnetic sheet among the plurality of magnetic sheets,   a plurality of layers of vias formed in a plurality of magnetic sheets among the plurality of magnetic sheets, and electrically connecting the first and second wiring patterns, and   lead patterns formed in the lower magnetic sheet, and connected to the external electrodes.   
     
     
         14 . The power inductor of  claim 12 , wherein the vias include a plated layer. 
     
     
         15 . A power inductor comprising:
 a magnetic body;   a coil provided in the magnetic body; and   external electrodes disposed on the magnetic body,   wherein the magnetic body comprises a stacked plurality of magnetic sheets, and   uppermost and lowermost magnetic sheets among the plurality of magnetic sheets include a flake alloy powder, and a major axis of the flake alloy powder and a major axis of the coil are arranged in a direction parallel to an upper surface of the magnetic body.